Juice strainer



T. M. NALON JUICE STRAINER June 17, 1930..

Filed Feb. 6, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet T. M. NALON JUICE STRAINER June 17, 1930.

Filed Feb. 6, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwuwntoz attain,

T. M. NALON JUICE STRAINER June 17, 1930.

Filed Feb. 6, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 gwue'nto'v QWnut June 17, 1930. Q NALQN 1,763,978 I JUICE STRAINER Filed Feb. 6, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented June 17, 1930 UNETED STATES essrs earner caries THOMAS M. NALON, OF ANSQNIA, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGN OR, BY 'MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

OF TWO-THIBDS T0 ESTELA PEREZ Y FEEEZ AND ONE-THIRD T0 MATTE-ICED QUITERIO I LOPEZ Y PEREZ, 0F HABANA, CUBA JUICE STBAINER.

Application filed February 6, 1926. Serial No. 86,612.

This invention relates to canemills, and more particularly to an improved juice strainer and trash elevator for such mills.

In the operation of such devices, as the mass of cane passes through the various sets of rollers or mills, a certain amount of juice is expressed therefrom by each mill, this juice dropping from the rollers upon a pan from which it flows to a central trough. A certain amount of trash or pulp will also drop upon the pan and be carried into this trough with the juice. The juice and trash thereupon flows through certain chutes provided therefor, upon suitable strainer plates where the juice is strained and caught in suitable containers after passing through such plates. Conveyors are mounted above the strainers upon flights on which are suitable slats or the like, designed to sweep the strainer plates and carry the trash thereover and up an inclined platform to elevate it and deliver it to a suitable conveyor by which it is returned to the mills so as to be again passed therethrough, and any remaining juice will thus be expressed from this trash.

/Vhen the strainer or a part thereof becomes worn, or when, for any reason it becomes necessary to repair or clean the same, the mill must be stopped, together with the trash elevator and conveyor, while such work is being performed. This necessarily results in a considerable loss of valuable grinding time. It is desirable, therefore, to have the strainer so constructed that any repairs thereto likely to be necessary may be made in the shortest possible time, and the strainer must be strong and durable and con: structed so that all joints will be tightly closed.

One object of my invention, therefore,'is to provide a juice strainer of a sectional type, so constructed that the various sections may be removed laterally and new sections substituted therefor.

A further object of my invention is to provide a sectional juice strainer whereby the various sections thereof may be joined together and to the associated structure of the trash elevator in a manner which obviates the possibilitity of any leakage of juice a simple and effective arrangement provided for this purpose.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the novel features and combination of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan-view, partly in diagram, of a cane mill embodying my improvements, certain parts having been omitted for the sake of clearness; 1

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the mill shown in Fig. 1; V

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational View of the juice strainer, trash elevator and accompanying structure; 1

Fig. 4: is a sectional view online 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of one strainer sections; I v

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View of a modified form of a strainer frame;

Fig. 7 isan enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the juice strainer and accompanying parts;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional View through the juice strainer;

Fig. 9 is aside elevational view of one of the supports for the strainer plates;

' Fig. 10 is a top plan view, of the same;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of one ofthe trash elevator slats;

. Fig. 12 is a sectional view on line 12 -12 of Fig. 11.

of the uice Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of part of Fig. 8.

The preferred embodiment ofiny invention which I have selected to illustrate and describe, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, com'- prises a cane mill 10, provided with precrushing rolls 11, followed by a number of juice expressing mills 12, 13, 14 and 15.

These mills will in practice usually consist of three rolls, as shown in Fig. 2, the upper roll only'being shown in Fig. 1, so as to reveal the underlying parts of the structure.

While I have shown only one pair of crushers and four sets of mills in the drawing, it

will, of course, be understood that the number of pairs of crusher rolls or the number of sets of three-roll mills may be varied ac cording tothe particular requirements of the installation; Suitable'intermediate carriers 16, 17 and 18 are provided to convey the mass" of cane from one mill to the next, which car-- riers maybe of any preferred type, the par ticular structure of which is of no concern in connection with the present invention.

inclined platforms orpans 1'9and20, from which it fi ows into the trough 21. At the same time, a part of the crushed cane or a certain amount of trash may drop from the rolls upon the pans'and be carried into the trough 21 with the juice.

' This trash and juicethen passes downward 1y through inclined chutes 22, 23 and 23 the delivery ends 24, 25 and 25 of which are disposed above the juicestrainer designated in its entirety by the numeral 26, in Fig. 2. The first of these chutes 22 is positioned'between the second and third mills in-the particular arrangement shown, so that this chute will carry only the juice resulting from the work of the crusheigfirst and second mills. before the baga'sse has been treated with water, 'as is usually doneto assist in the juice extraction. Just rearwardly of the chute .22 the trough 21.is provided with a partition 21*so as to keep separate the juice fromthe first two millsand crusher andthe third. and

fourth mills, and aipartition' 21 to separate; the jjuiceexpressed by theth'ird and fourth ,mills from those which follow. vIt will' 'bc' As'shown in Figs.

structure comprises a trough or tank 27 understood that thejuice from the third and fourthimills is carriedby the chute-'23, and

that from the following mills, (not shown) 1 by the chute 23 Y 3 andj4, the istrainer channel shaped in cross-sectiontocatchand retain thejuice, As shown, this trough isj separated into sections connected together by the end. flanges 28 and 29 on:these.sections,- the interior of the tank-being! divided by parti-tions 30 so asto keepfseparate the juice conitzs.

veyed'tothe strainer through the chutes 22,. 23 and 23*. Each of'the tankj divisions is the usual and well known'manner. This tank ,may be supported upon theblocks 32 which restin turn upon the bed 33 points with brackets 34, upon which are de'-' '35, shown more especially in Figs.''?', 8, 9 and V 10. These beams are of sufiicient length to span the juice tank and are provided with endjbases 36 and 37, to reston the'flanges 34 and to be bolted thereto. The sectional shape of these beams between the bases is shown more especially in Fig. 8, the'beam comprising a central web 38 from which project on each side lower lateral flanges 39 and upper lateral flanges 40, forming between them grooves 41 and 42, which as explained hereinafter serve as guideways for the in'ser-j tion of the strainer sections. Upon theends of the upper flanges are positioned blocks 43 and 44 to which are secured angle .mem here 45 to whichthe side plates of the trash elevator structure are secured. Referring to l Figs. 9 and 10, it will beapparent'that'the flanges 39 are longer than the flanges'40,the web portion of the beam between these flanges being beveled, as shown at 46 and47. Such construction permits easy entry ofthe strainer sections'into the grooves 41 and 42 as will be hereinafter described- 1 Asbest shown in Fig. 4, the side plates '48 and 49 of thetrash elevator structure, are secured to" the angle plates 45and are pro-' .vided at their upper and lower edges with laterally extending flanges 50 and 51. In these side plates are journaled shafts 52,53,

55, 56 and 57, carrying sprocket wheels '58 and 59 over which are trained the chains 60 v of the trash elevator. These. chains are con-- nected atsuitable intervals by slats 61which are designed to sweep the juice strainer and carry the trash upthe inclined platform 62,

. where it is returned to the'cane millbetween the first and second three-roll niills by means of the conveyor 63. The conveyor 63 is pro-xj vided with a pulley 64, driven from the head shaft 65 of the trash elevator, 'whichflis in turn. driven by a pulley "66 connected to a shaft 67 through a clutch 68. "The shaft 67 is driven from the pulley 69,. which in turn may be driven from any suitable source;

of power. g he elevator slats 61, as shown in Fig. 12,.

consist of a block70 of wood 'or the like, se

bolts74passing through'the wood block and I 1 through this plate.

The juice straineris located'abovethe uice tank and is constructed of a number of sections, the sections being withdrawable'later r 70' The tank sections are provided at spaced ally from the frame-work by which they are supported and independently secured in place. F our of such sections are shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, at 75 75", 75 and 7 5 respectively, all of which are substan tially alike and are supported by the supporting beams 85, which rest upon the juice tank. One of these strainer sections is shown in Fig. 5, and consists of a frame upon the upper surface of which is secured the strainer plate or screen 7 5. The frame is composed of a pair of sideangle pieces 76 and 77 end pieces also L-shaped in cross-section 78 and 79, and intermediate lengthwise stringers 80, 81 and 82, suitably braced at their central portions by a cross strut 88. Upon the outside of the end angle pieces 78 and 79 are secured straps or cleats 87 and 88, the upper edges of these cleats being slightly below the upper edge of the end pieces.

In assembling the strainer sections, the edge of the frame with the strainer plate secured thereto is placed upon the flanges 39 of the cross-beam 85, and the frame is then slipped into position above the tank, the cleats 87 and 88 riding into the grooves or channel shaped guideways 41 and 42. The width of these cleats is slightly less than the height of the grooves. Bolts 88 are then passed through the openings 89 and 90 in the horizontal portions of the side members 76 and 77v and through openings in the angle members 51, secured to the side plates l8 and 49, and the strainer plates drawn upwardly into close contact with the flanges 51 when the nuts are drawn up upon these bolts. The cleats then fit closely against the under surface of the flanges and form a tight joint at that place, while a tight joint is also made between the side members 76 and 77 and the flanges 51. A slight opening or space may be left between the lateral faces of the flanges 40 and the end pieces 78 and 79, but any such space will soon become filled with minute particles of the trash, so that all of the juice which reaches the tank must pass through the strainer plates 75.

It will be apparent that to remove any one of the strainer plates so that another may be substituted therefor, it is only necessary to back the nuts from and remove the bolts 88f so that the strainer section will drop down wardly upon the flanges 39 and may be freely slipped from its position above the tank in a lateral direction, and a new section substituted therefor. As the flange 39 is longer than the flange 40 and projects b-eyondthe latter flange at both ends, it will be obvious that the strainer sections may be readily inserted within the grooves 41, it only being necessary to position the edge of the section upon the projecting end of the flange 39 and .then push it into place within the groove.

Moreover, as the grooves 41 are open at both ends the strainer sections may be inserted into and removed from the grooves from either side. When the strainer section which is to be removed has been loosened, and the new section-has been positioned in the grooves 41, as the latter is pushed in place it will displace the old section driving it out of the grooves on the other. side of the strainer.

This substitution of a new section for an. old one may be effected in this manner without stopping the flow of juice or the drag conveyor. a

In Fig. 6 of the drawing I have shown a supporting frame for the strainer platesof all the details shown but is capable of modi- ,cation and variation within the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a sugar cane mill or the like, a juice tank, a trash conveyor provided with side walls, said conveyor being spaced from said tank, a plurality of laterally removable strainer sections between said tank and trash conveyor, means for clamping said strainers against the side walls of said conveyor and means for supporting said strainers while being removed. i

2. In a sugar cane mill or the like, a juice pan, a trash conveyor above the juice pan and spaced therefrom, a juice strainer between the conveyor and pan, said strainer comprising a plurality of strainer sections, means for releasably securing said sections in fluid-tight contact with the trash conveyor, means for supporting said sections in position between the conveyor and pan and out of contact therewith upon release of the securing means, i

said sections being freely movable into and out of position beneath the conveyor when so supported.

3. A composite juice strainer for sugar cane niills,comprising a plurality ofstrainer sections disposed in juxtaposed relation longitudinally of the strainer, and means for se curing said sections together whereby eachv may be removedfrom or inserted into the strainer individually and in a lateral direction, saidsecuring ineans including a plurahty of cross-beams one between each sec tion, each of said cross-beams being provided with a longitudinal flange at the upper edge thereof, and each of saidstrainer sections be i ing provided with a flange on the lateral face thereof, said last named flanges being carried below the uppers urface of the strainer section a distance equal first named flanges;

to the thickness of the V f A Arjuicestrainer-structure for cane mills,

' comprising-a pair ofspaced frameinembers;

a plurality of strainer sections secured individually to said frame membersand disposed in end to end relation, the means securing said sections to said members permitting certain" of said sections-to be individually re- "inoved from and-inserted into the strainer in alateral direction'and means normally spaced from said strainer sections on which I said sections may rest while being removed.

:5. In a: sugar cane mill orthe 'like,"fa juice tankpa: trash; conveyorabove saidtank, a 11106 strainer between the'conveyor and tank individually, including'a plurality of cross Iveyor, said sections engaging said cross beams slidably, andmeans for clamping the strainer sections n place with the upper surfacesv 7 comprising a plurality i of strainer sections,

and-means for securing said sections in place beams mount-ed betweenthe tank and conthereoi' substantiallyjfiush with the uppe edges of the'beams.

6. In asugarcane'mill'or the like, a juice tank, a trash conveyor above saidtank a juice strainer between the conveyor and tanln said strainer comprising a plurality or detachable strainer sections, means for secur ingsaid sections individually in place below the conveyor, and supports below the strainer sections, said supports being adapted to be engaged"by saidstrainer. sections upon. the latter being detached forwithdrawal from below the conveyor. 7 I I I 7 7. In a sugar cane mill or the like, a. juice tank, aplurality of cross-beams disposed f transversely] of i said: tank at thetop thereof,

- endsof t-he sectionsabutting the lateral faces and beams form a a strainer comprising a plurality of strainer sections adapted to slidably" engage said beams, and meansfor securing said sections in placoflbetween said cross-beams,"' with the o'fithe beams whereby said strainer sections closely-assembled strainer structure. f-

In a caneinill or the like, a tank,

plurality of cross beams" mounted trans- 1 sections {mounted one"}b'etween each cross,

versely abovesaid tank, a plurality of strainer beam at the upper edges thereof, means for I securing said strainer sections in positi'onbejtweensaidzbeams Withthe upper surfaces of vt-he sections substantially flush with the up; I

" per-surfaces 0f the cross beams,,whereby a cn said beams engageable by said sections to stantially smooth upper surface,- and means support thelatter for movement in 58. trans- -verse direction upon release of the sections; "iroin'osaid securing means. 1 g 7 uice tank and a trash conveyor structure mounted above said tank,

w "9. In a; cane mill, a

,. a sect onal juice strainer, and meansftor; se-' it 1 curingthe"sections;thereofindividually in placejbetween the -trash; conveyor-and tank f complete strain or is provided having a sub comprising a plurality of cross-beamsmounted above the" tank, said cross-beamslhaving shoulders. I

supporting shoulders, and means permitting a the insertion of said strainer sections'latorally into place while supported on said ing cross-beams mountedtran'sve'rsely of the juice tank :and disposed at the jointsbetween said strainer sections.

1 1. In a sugar cane m ll or the like,-a trash conveyor, a plurahty of strainer sections,

means for releasablyur'gingthe sections into fluid-tight contact with the conveyor, and

means for supporting thefsectionsfor free movement from underthe conveyor uponbeing released trombontact therewith.

l2. Ina sugar cane mill orthe likdajuice tank, a trash conveyor above said ulce tank,

means forminga rigid interconnection be: tween the uice tank and ,conveyor,-a juice strainer between said tank and conveyor, sa d juic strainer comprising a plurality of strainer sections in endto end relation,-and

means for supporting said sections for let eralmoveinent under the conveyor wh le the latter remains rigidly connected to the tank.

18. In acane mill or the like, ajuicef strainer, said strainer comprising a plurality of strainer sections, and means for securing said sections in place comprising a plurality of transversely disposed supporting members,

said supporting members being provided with rac ng grooves and pro ecting flanges at the top of said grooves, andisaid stralnersectionsbeing provided with end"projecting members.designed tolie'in said grooves and to abut the loweredge's ofsaid flanges-and means for urging'sald members aga nst said loo flanges whereby a tight joint is made between I the strainer sections and said members.-

"lL'gIn a. cane mill or. the like, a ju ce strainer,"said strainercomprising a plurality,

of strainer sections, and means for securing said supporting members being providedwith upper and lowerprojecting flanges and'fa-c ing grooves between said flanges, said grooves being adapted to receive said str-ainersec tions while the'latterare restingupon the lower flanges and projectionsupon the, ends ofsaidstrainer sections designed toenter' said sections in place coinprising'a!plurality V of transversely disposed supporting members,"

said grooves, and means forgsecuring said sect-ions in place with said 1 projections posed closely against. the under-surface lot the upper flanges.

1 5.. Ina cane mlll ortheflilte, a juice strainsectionstogether inend toendrelation, comer, said strainer comprising ,azplurality "if strainersections,andmeansfor securing said or prising a plurality of suitably supported transversely disposed supporting members arranged at the joints between said sections, said members having laterally projecting flanges at the upper ends thereof designed to abut against the ends of the strainer sections, and a projecting member on the ends of the strainer sections designed to lie below said flanges and in close contact therewith, and means for securing said sections in place in close contact with said flanges.

16. In a cane mill or the like, a juice tank, a trash conveyor above said tank including spaced side frames, transversely disposed supporting members above said tank, a plurality of strainer sections, said supporting members having lateral flanges upon which said strainer sections may be received and supported, and means for securing said strainer sections individually to said side frames above said flanges.

17. In a cane mill or the like, a juice tank, a'trash conveyor above said tank including spaced side frames, a plurality of strainer sections, and means for securing said sections in place between the conveyor and tank, comprising a plurality of transversely disposed supporting members, said members having facing guideways open at their ends to receive said sections, and flanges above and below said guideways, the lower flanges being adapted to receive and support the strainer section when inserted into place, and means for thereafter drawing said strainer section in close contact with said side frames and in close juxtaposed position with said upper flanges.

18. In a cane mill or the like, a juice tank, a trash conveyor above said tank including spaced side frames, transversely disposed supporting members above said tank, a plurality of strainer sections, said supporting members having lateral flanges upon which said strainer sections may be received and supported and upper flanges forming guideways with said lateral flanges, projections on the ends of said strainer sections adapted to enter said guideways, and means for securing said strainer sections loosely against the lower edge of the side frames with said projections closely abutting the underside of the upper flanges.

19. In a cane mill or the like, a juice tank, a trash conveyor mounted above said tank, said conveyor including spaced side frames, means for supporting said side frames including transversely disposed supporting members mounted on the tank, and strainer sections insertable laterally between said supporting members and secured to said spaced side frames with their ends abutting the lateral faces of the transversely disposed supporting members.

20. In a sugar cane mill or the like, a trash conveyor provided with side walls, a juice tank, a plurality of laterally removable strainer sections between said tank and trash conveyor, means for securing the ends of said sections against movement from between the tank and conveyor, and means engageable by the sides of said sections upon release of the I between said tank and conveyor, and means independent of said beams for securing the sections in place between the tank and conveyor.

22. In a sugar cane mill or the like, a juice tank, artrash conveyor, a plurality of laterally removable strainer sections between the tank and conveyor, ways on which the sections may be supported for movement into and out of position between the tank and conveyor, and means independent of said Ways for clamping the sections immovably in place between the tank and conveyor.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of January, 1926.

TI-IOS. M. NALON. 

